Safari Animals that I hope we see . . . .

Vaccinations!

let me share with you a childhood story I grew up with:
One time my grandmother came home to a line of children out her garage. As she made her way to the front of the line she discovered her children Scott and Eric had proclaimed themselves doctors and were giving the children of the neighborhood their routine vaccinations with a nail for a needle. I don't think it went over very well with the children's parents.

That being said, I've chosen to follow my fathers footsteps but with a markedly less direct approach. I talked to the travel medicine people here at Penn and I've got a list of things for us to get. We can get them now, but they are pretty expensive so its also ok to space them out as long as we get the 1st shot appx 4-6wks prior to leaving. I'd say plan for June rather than January unless you really want to.

• Tetanus: You need a booster if you haven't had one in the last 5 yrs.
• HepA: This is a 2 series shot. Get the 1st one 4-6wks prior to departure, the 2nd should be done 6-18 months later.
• HepB: This is a 3 series shot. We are right on the cusp of the requirment that made it 3 shots instead of 2. When I went to Honduras last year I had to get my 3rd shot so I'm guessing most of us will need the 3rd shot.
• Polio Booster: you run like you have polio in your legs. Thanks Cal, We all need boosters for this if you haven't gotten one since you turned 20. It's just 1 shot and will give us livelong immunity.
• Typhoid: 1 shot series, or there is a pill version available but this must be taken in a VERY strict way (ie on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 must be refridgerated etc. ) the pill version will give you 5 yrs of immunity while the shot only gives you 2 yrs of immunity. Brandon, the pill might make things more convenient for you (less shots) as for the rest of us... maybe not eh?
• Yellow Fever: 1 shot series. Will give you 10 yrs of immunity. There is some new controversy recently published in the NEJM yesterday regarding the vaccine http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/22/2222. But when I look at it, we have every reason to get the vaccine (young, traveling to endmic area, negligible risk factors for developing the adverse events, vs. the risk of getting yellow fever) Tanzania is an endemic area, I'd get it. Actually I got it, last year.
• Rabies: suggested. My suggestion: avoid rabid animals. If you find yourself frequenly followed by rabid raccoons... get it, though the residents here say they'd get it.
• Malaria: no vaccine but we will need an MD to write for prophylaxis meds. Brandon greatly dislikes Lariam (Mefloquine) and I agree. I think i'm gonna try to get Malarone. Info: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentMalariaDrugsPublic.aspx show your MD this.

OMG i'm sorry this is so long but a few more tips:

- Find out at your next MD visit what vaccines they can give you. Most docs can get the Hep A and B ones, and probably the polio one. If you get them at the office visit you should only have to pay the copay (depending on your insurance) and that should def. drop down the cost of some of these vaccines. Others like typhoid and yellow fever more than likely can only be found at public health centers. Check this website to find a place close to you that will be able to give the vaccines: https://www.istm.org/WebForms/Members/IndexSecure.aspx?sUrl=%2fclinicdir%2fclinicdir.aspx

- when you get the anti-malarial pills filled go to a national pharmacy chain b/c they ususally have better prices. (call around: walgreens, cvs, rite aid etc.) Also, I wouldn't get the meds over there.. you just can't be sure what you're getting.. unless you are experienced w/ that sort of thing I'd advise against it. The FDA does a good job of making sure you are taking what you pay for, even if you pay alot.

OK! I'm done, see you all at Christmas!!!! so very excited!

PS they can and will give most of these shots all at once.. (up to 3 or 4 per arm/butt!) so if you dont' want that, don't wait till the last minute (June) to get them done.

Blogg-er-if-ick

Hey y'all,

So, unfortunately I won't be able to go to Africa with everyone (booooo), but I will be home for X-mas!  Let's hang out.  We can still dress up in safari clothes... and play that great game where george puts supermodel names in the hat and I can never guess them!

I'm still planning on hitting up the dark continent in 2010 for world cup.  I know what voracious soccer (football) fans you all are so there's an open invitation.  This blog is a great idea in general.  Good work mols.

Peace-out from the southwest.

-Dave